Monks from the Drepung Loseling monastery will demonstrate the art of mandala sand-painting and perform sacred music and dance at Western Carolina University in early September.

Monks from the Drepung Loseling monastery will lay millions of grains of colored sand to create a sand mandala at Western Carolina University during the week of Sept. 9 -13.

A sand mandala will be created in the A.K. Hinds University Center Grandroom during the week of Monday, Sept. 9, to Friday, Sept. 13.

Derived from the artistic traditions of Tantric Buddhism, the sand mandala is considered a tool for healing the earth. Chants and music at an opening ceremony at noon on Sept. 9 will precede the drawing of an outline on a wooden platform on which lamas will lay millions of grains of different colored sand. The sand will depict geometric shapes and ancient spiritual symbols.

When complete on Sept. 13, the sand mandala will be ceremoniously dismantled at a noon closing ceremony. Sand will be swept up to symbolize impermanence and poured into a body of water to send healing energies to the world.

All events associated with the sand mandala are free and open to the public.

Also, on Wednesday, Sept. 11, multiphonic singers from Drepung Loseling monastery will perform “Sacred Music Sacred Dance” in the John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. The group has performed with acts ranging from Philip Glass to Paul Simon and the Beastie Boys. Tickets are $5 for students and $10 for all others.

Tickets for the “Sacred Music Sacred Dance” performance and other upcoming events associated with WCU’s Arts and Cultural Events Performance Series can be purchased online at bardoartscenter.wcu.edu or by calling 828-227-2479. More information is available at ace.wcu.edu.